Maldives, a majority Muslim south Asian archipelago, plans to boost halal tourism in a move that may also make the country a larger market for halal-certified food imports. 

The Maldives local halal market is set to expand through an increase in halal tourism, with the government last May launching a campaign to encourage the development of halal tourism sales. MHT (Maldives Halal Travel) was introduced at the Arabian Travel Market in May 2021 in Dubai with the aim of attracting Muslim tourists to the Maldives, especially from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. MHT esimates demand to be worth over $189 billion for holiday packages for Muslim tourists. 

At the same time, the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation – the national tourism office of the Maldives – has launched a digital campaign called ‘Have Halal, Will Travel’ to promote Maldives in the Muslim southeast Asian market. Some resorts already offer halal food, non-alcohol rooms, secluded outdoor pools and modest swimwear rules such as Plumeria Maldives in Thinadhoo Vaavu atoll, Kihaa Maldives in Kihaadhuffaru, Amaya Resorts & Spa Kuda Rah in Kudara  and Ayada Maldives in Maguhdhuvaa, among others.